tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65703661041736138072024-03-18T21:36:11.907-07:00Tips & Tricks TeachingAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13287491805665468612noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6570366104173613807.post-80585295642260290752017-06-26T20:01:00.000-07:002017-06-26T20:01:09.019-07:00How to Plan for Novels As Shared ReadingI am a firm believer that my number one job as a Reading teacher is to find a way to get my students to ENJOY reading. Yes, I also need to make sure that they are making inferences, identifying main ideas, analyzing characters, yada yada yada...But in order to get them able to do those things independently, I need to get them reading. I believe that my students are more interested in reading as a result of choosing novels for shared reading. I have tried a lot of things in my eleven years in the classroom. Sometimes I laugh (or cry) at how little I knew. I mean, I knew what shared and guided reading were. But maybe I thought there would be specific SOPs that would just fall in to place when I started. <br />
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Today I'm going to share with you just how I make novels and trade books work as my shared reading texts in my 5th grade classroom. Bear with me, though, because I've put a lot of thought in to my entire year -- yep, I plan my entire year based on our shared reading titles -- and I want to do my best to explain a clearly as possible. Please note: If you have ANY questions, do not hesitate to comment below with those questions. <br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">STEP 1: Gaining materials:</span></b></div>
Shared reading means every students has a copy of novel while a fluent teacher reads aloud, stopping periodically to evaluate the plot, character actions, etc. This can be expensive, especially if you are not offered any kind of monetary support from your administration. It has taken me at least 8 years to build up a large collection of class sets of novels. GOOD novels. Novels that I LOVE to teach -- not just novels that were cheap and aren't my favorites. I have purchased some class sets of novels from Scholastic, using both dollars and points, requested class sets of admin was feeling generous, and I've received some awesome class sets from Donors Choose. This did not happen over night, and there were times when I taught a book I did not love. As a result of me not loving the book -- my students often felt the same. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYuHG81mTXTBPl3bZxDcSk9VB8_-Lj-ZEhj2I7WJuzbbUryJXWxt6-GnRWVbwZT7CC-BQ9Tso8PJMrFA0ODcWcAf8UMApMDqLUqXH6hZIdLGtcGM3ipatg0zE3QALaRtYZAOwpA-q0RqpY/s1600/13479891_10154419624356487_1327132282_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYuHG81mTXTBPl3bZxDcSk9VB8_-Lj-ZEhj2I7WJuzbbUryJXWxt6-GnRWVbwZT7CC-BQ9Tso8PJMrFA0ODcWcAf8UMApMDqLUqXH6hZIdLGtcGM3ipatg0zE3QALaRtYZAOwpA-q0RqpY/s320/13479891_10154419624356487_1327132282_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">I may or may not have a container problem. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">That depends on who you ask. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">I took this picture last year, so some of the titles have changed, </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">and my school did away with Journeys. </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">STEP 2: Know your school district's curriculum map and map out your entire year. </span></b></div>
I'm lucky enough to teach in a school where I have some freedom over my instructional choices. Our district's school year is broken in to four marking periods, with a specific list of standards that must be taught during each marking period. We have access to materials from a publishing company, but my principal allows me to use additional novels, rather than textbooks and workbooks. I work on STEP 1 over the summer before school starts. It can be cumbersome the first time I do this, but with time it gets easier. I use a cutesy calendar that I found for free on Teacher's Pay Teachers, and find that colorful pens. The first thing I do is write in any school calendar days/holidays. Next, I look at the online curriculum map provided by my district to see what the major skills are for each quarter. Then, I choose the novels that best suit those skills. Then I write those things in, planning a couple chapters per day (this, too, depends on the books and their complexity).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHaMAk4xZxoUm1xIzcDuFqHVi1o6oZNVPHQYxvRAAOtUAsSx8wpb6Td_mUXqeSZsbtzKvmbW0QbLoKgfEKyS-n9_jA6lOHPOg2sDjgao-yMRJJGGvyngLfCY3PQVl8QFVMzlHnhV96MS3F/s1600/calendars1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHaMAk4xZxoUm1xIzcDuFqHVi1o6oZNVPHQYxvRAAOtUAsSx8wpb6Td_mUXqeSZsbtzKvmbW0QbLoKgfEKyS-n9_jA6lOHPOg2sDjgao-yMRJJGGvyngLfCY3PQVl8QFVMzlHnhV96MS3F/s400/calendars1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Here are the calendars I created last year. I taught one </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">section of fourth grade and one section of fifth grade. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Lucky for me a lot of the skills overlapped, </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">but I knew I would have the fourth again as</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> fifth graders, so I used different titles. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgITKUte2MKiYf57nMnDJWLhsPzsnHU9V1vP4CUg_v69fuXD0Q5TAOWYTHYuyTGK5nON3qcAOXquD0oImNWB4z0zK_cO1pthIJspq9j7-h2i_BDEAoctBoaAWFCB2WSfn248ayQE1_Zppa2/s1600/19244223_10155402499471487_2062867367_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgITKUte2MKiYf57nMnDJWLhsPzsnHU9V1vP4CUg_v69fuXD0Q5TAOWYTHYuyTGK5nON3qcAOXquD0oImNWB4z0zK_cO1pthIJspq9j7-h2i_BDEAoctBoaAWFCB2WSfn248ayQE1_Zppa2/s320/19244223_10155402499471487_2062867367_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Here is an up close photo of one of my calendars. </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">They aren't fancy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">And they aren't in depth </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">as</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> far as </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">the structure of my lessons. BUT, there </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">are no </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">words to describe just how easy it is to lesson </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">plan when </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">I have </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">a full calendar </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">sprawled </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">out before me. We all know that things </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> happen </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">and calendars are never perfect. There's always some sort of last minute </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">assembly, or special project due by 10am, but you weren't </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">told </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">about it </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">until 9:15am. So, my calendar has changed. Sometimes things happen out </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">of order. It's natural, and I just have to be flexible. But the overall structure </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">of my year is created for me in this calendar. And it truly is a lifesaver for me. </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Step 3: Determine CONSTANTS and VARIABLES across all shared reading texts. </span></b></div>
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Whether you plan to read the entire <i>Hunger Games</i> series, or jump around from historical fiction to fantasy fiction, it is important that you have some basic consistencies across all of the books you will teach. These consistencies will help structure your entire week, month, marking period, and year. Your kids (and parents) will love you if you have recurring items that are a constant in their novel-studying lives. To determine these things, you must assess what kinds of things are required for you to teach (some teachers work in schools that separate writing from reading), what kinds of materials are available to you and your students, and how comfortable you are with taking the plunge to focus most of your instruction using novels. My school uses a separate grammar book, so I teach grammar separate from our novel studies. We also use Units of Study for writing, which means our long term writing assignments don't always align with those of the novels. We DO, however, always use our current and past shared reading texts as excellent mentor texts whenever we need to. </div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Constant 1: </span></b> In my classroom, my <b><span style="font-size: x-large;">vocabulary lists</span></b> come directly from our novel. I focus on teaching my students Tier 2 vocabulary words that appear in novels at their grade level. Tier 2 words are words that are beyond basic sight words and high frequency words, but are not words that are only used in specific domains. Of course, if we come across a Tier 3 (domain-specific) word, it becomes a point of discussion, but my students' vocabulary lists are Tier 2 words from the chapters we are currently reading. They receive their list of 10 words (per week) before we read. When we come across the word, we try to identify the meaning of that word through context clues (and probably some guidance from me, if it the context isn't clear). Once we've agreed on a definition based on those context clues, someone does a quick online dictionary search on Learner's Dictionary and - BOOM - most of the time our definition is spot on. This method is two-fold because it allows students to gain new vocabulary from the book versus some random list I found while sipping wine and searching Google. Second, my students receive guided practice almost daily about how to use context clues to figure out the meanings of new words. And, for those kids who know how to do this, it is still a confidence booster that they really ARE smart and they really CAN figure these things out if they need to. </div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Constant 2:</b></span> In addition to vocabulary, I pull <span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>comprehension and discussion questions</b></span> from all of the books we read. I use these questions to guide our class discussions as we stop periodically to read. I don't stop all the time, because there is something to be said about fluid reading where we get sucked in to the novels. But sometimes I stop if I think it's complex section or at the end of a chapter. Sometimes these questions ask about a character's motive, or a recall of the events leading up to the climax. Sometimes I turn these questions in to Text Dependent Analysis prompts. I give a weekly assessment (of student vocabulary) and I usually add some of these comprehension and discussion questions to that assessment. Students are able to use their novels to answer these questions -- mostly because they require evidence from the text. </div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Constant 3:</b></span> Finally, from the start of the year to the very end, my students are always on the hunt for <b><span style="font-size: x-large;">literary devices</span></b> in our shared reading books. Last year, we focused mostly on <a href="http://tipsandtricksteacher.blogspot.com/2017/06/something-thats-working.html" target="_blank">similes, metaphors, personification, and imagery</a>. Next year, I plan to expand our study of literary devices. I have found that being on the constant lookout for these devices has really improved the relationship my kids have with the words on the page. When we come across these items, they make immediate mini lessons on what good writers do. We discuss how an author could have said something boring, but instead used an imagery technique that really illustrated the scene with words. It starts slow, especially with my fourth graders, but as the year progressed, my kids found some great examples of literary devices in their independent reading books as well! </div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Variables:</span></b> While a lot of my instruction remains constant, there are certain things that I can teach with certain novels that don't work with other titles. If I'm teaching characterization, <i>Freak the Mighty</i> by Rodman Philbrick is one of the best. If I need to focus on nonfiction text features, a trade book about rain forest food chains is going to be my book of choice. These variables are often standards dictated by my district, and they are the most important when aligning my calendar to the district curriculum maps.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Step 4: Get to know those books. </span></b></div>
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Despite being extremely busy people, it is imperative that teachers are well-versed in the novels they plan to teach. There are some fabulous items on the internet that can really help you develop lessons, but your kids will know from the start if you are truly vested in a book. I recommend keeping a notebook with each of your teacher copies of the novel. Use this notebook every year. Add to it as you teach, and keep it for the following year. When you are pre-reading the novel before you teach, pull our your constants (as discussed above), write them down, and you will have them as long as you teach that book. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfsKGYCTUXlyfA_ZWjcClljZNggqLIPxliWpaZ8npeudDbhtGGv6vxQKttgVd8Eaiebbnsr0QhE_iHku5eF9hrR8RBwNYUrE1-OnAEM5vX-5UhRxvdsM1cQU_7m4dk7oqq1hrNbyqGr87U/s1600/Slide1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfsKGYCTUXlyfA_ZWjcClljZNggqLIPxliWpaZ8npeudDbhtGGv6vxQKttgVd8Eaiebbnsr0QhE_iHku5eF9hrR8RBwNYUrE1-OnAEM5vX-5UhRxvdsM1cQU_7m4dk7oqq1hrNbyqGr87U/s320/Slide1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Here is an example of my simple novel notebook. I tend to read new</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">novels over the summer, late at night, so they definitely aren't fancy.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuvQyxclm7ButEM9MPtYGEoWMpfGJQnwBgrwunW3CYZuOi12ZSdJdD9Z74m3rw5t1FWAkrUCy2K_gFqqAmJlMc8Jam6b_2O6v1HjZ5u0omrHTJkSaNTL6vcGYQY9NsaPB0FOZkJAdA4NHy/s1600/Slide2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuvQyxclm7ButEM9MPtYGEoWMpfGJQnwBgrwunW3CYZuOi12ZSdJdD9Z74m3rw5t1FWAkrUCy2K_gFqqAmJlMc8Jam6b_2O6v1HjZ5u0omrHTJkSaNTL6vcGYQY9NsaPB0FOZkJAdA4NHy/s320/Slide2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> While reading, I underline vocabulary words and write them in my novel notebook.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">I also write any discussion or comprehension questions (and their answers) that I</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">believe are important to revisit during class discussions.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhiKdEBhK45HaXuLIL-MVEIAFm3k1UrB5qICxprGbgQwpqtggkFWHmNO3aBdkLIX3MEKs41WRhgNI9YZckMF5CtFJUjTlt3x5hyyUgEg9wamOnzW9Lo5_otyGRyxge2VB3OpOgqaIpb3q7/s1600/Slide3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhiKdEBhK45HaXuLIL-MVEIAFm3k1UrB5qICxprGbgQwpqtggkFWHmNO3aBdkLIX3MEKs41WRhgNI9YZckMF5CtFJUjTlt3x5hyyUgEg9wamOnzW9Lo5_otyGRyxge2VB3OpOgqaIpb3q7/s320/Slide3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(below) While I'm reading, or even while I'm teaching, I'll make a quick</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">note with the first letter or the name of the literary device I find. If my students</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">aren't on their A-game, I can easily prompt them during our discussion</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">with these pre-marked devices. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzwieovBkcmpjhYa_9iDTsoaUQTianddSxcKIGn5jBh1zaYK-V_OLDjAITSfztpUPNGefcxsSJaflAJE5W_XIJfhbjwQAjDiXZ0Q_bnhu4jFmGpULcZdtLp3dTZ4I9CCHt7DZg3Dxc4PgU/s1600/19512402_10155414540641487_1815782932_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzwieovBkcmpjhYa_9iDTsoaUQTianddSxcKIGn5jBh1zaYK-V_OLDjAITSfztpUPNGefcxsSJaflAJE5W_XIJfhbjwQAjDiXZ0Q_bnhu4jFmGpULcZdtLp3dTZ4I9CCHt7DZg3Dxc4PgU/s320/19512402_10155414540641487_1815782932_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipIcI0TtlJuHqpoNFUleGHmXEnyKrM5a7wKqtF_eryxZKxbYaq_-V3F18knOFSK6v8btCh14a0KZuvZt-iYz1TUvH-jrAvP0HYZmJwbhrdB4LodOlAb0wuTdpwhHENzrgmiBJvuYh5rpnW/s1600/19576124_10155414540696487_609683107_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipIcI0TtlJuHqpoNFUleGHmXEnyKrM5a7wKqtF_eryxZKxbYaq_-V3F18knOFSK6v8btCh14a0KZuvZt-iYz1TUvH-jrAvP0HYZmJwbhrdB4LodOlAb0wuTdpwhHENzrgmiBJvuYh5rpnW/s320/19576124_10155414540696487_609683107_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Step 5: Don't give up! </span></b></div>
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This process didn't happen for me overnight. It may take awhile for you to get in to a groove that works for you and your students. What's important is if you believe that novels will improve your reading class, that you stand up for what you believe in! Your kids will love you for making this choice!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmU6QJ15-IzzfeSxmHPNQPFprplseakJ8YxEKkJICBRxTjrmb2BH8Xzt9atFKhOM4nDjX1eCfMvNqPcSWjAJ6uhDeyFQ0zbToH3g7SzcHGSftWHIG6s8lD5AeYdR48AyxkSxEOL2iM11tZ/s1600/annie2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="257" data-original-width="424" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmU6QJ15-IzzfeSxmHPNQPFprplseakJ8YxEKkJICBRxTjrmb2BH8Xzt9atFKhOM4nDjX1eCfMvNqPcSWjAJ6uhDeyFQ0zbToH3g7SzcHGSftWHIG6s8lD5AeYdR48AyxkSxEOL2iM11tZ/s320/annie2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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P.S., I am in the process of typing up my novel notebooks. There are no bells and whistles or fancy worksheets. You will find, however, awesome, age-appropriate vocabulary words, kid-friendly definitions, discussion questions, and endless examples of literary devices. They are available for sale <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/My-Products/Category:289297" target="_blank">here</a>. </div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/My-Products/Category:289297" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOr5iJhftkIQD-MLDw0eoI_a5dftiIhmWyH2KBpAhYTD9cvby0vQA1q6I-PA53d0prGzN3uKUWJ8klOSXJZ8NJGAn-6S0f1VLaEhMCSnrmxAN1hd2IGvMcNMJW1RuqQYs1xDYa_GuFa_Jl/s320/novel+notebook+logo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/My-Products/Category:289297" target="_blank">Link to Novel Notebooks</a>.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13287491805665468612noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6570366104173613807.post-13841081142898081242017-06-04T17:35:00.000-07:002017-06-04T17:35:50.278-07:00Something that's working...While I don't blog often, and I don't always blog about teaching, I find that if something really is working well for my kiddos, then maybe I should share. This post will not lead you to any fancy Teachers Pay Teachers items. If I'm industrious enough, I may be able to pull some signs together to add to my store for free, but that is not the purpose of this blog entry. <br />
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Something I created over the summer is working well. Really well. So I thought I would share. <br />
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I created a Literary Analysis Wall. And maybe I thought only a few students would use it, or enjoy it, but right now hands are up in my classroom throughout shared reading. If there is ANY downtime in my classroom, I am fielding a line of students who are excited to show me something about the book they are reading. <br />
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Here is the wall:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj15xR5nPWiW6HgyVWJ1rhCBqG5Q_QhZ3MK4Kl9tRWKVuDq0BNl1Y09U9lD3FMMOvsBpQ1nehXxqFdyHpkys3BMcDJEaoXa9YAmKQ-DTerAaQ2ERc6fqy0G2ktieIoXUHX2y34VUAO3Kxwx/s1600/Literary+Analysis+Wall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj15xR5nPWiW6HgyVWJ1rhCBqG5Q_QhZ3MK4Kl9tRWKVuDq0BNl1Y09U9lD3FMMOvsBpQ1nehXxqFdyHpkys3BMcDJEaoXa9YAmKQ-DTerAaQ2ERc6fqy0G2ktieIoXUHX2y34VUAO3Kxwx/s400/Literary+Analysis+Wall.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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To show you how much I lack as a blogger, I started this post back in December. That was when I had these fancy post-it notes that are so bright in color. But I ran out of those right around the time I ran out of spending money. Enter dollar store sticky notes. <br />
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Anyhoo...It all started with an important part of shared reading. I read out loud while all of my students have a copy of the novel. (For more info on how I teach using novels instead of anthologies, I'm working on a post here.) First of all, I always read ahead of my students, whether I've read the book before or not. I make notes in my book before I read it with them, while I read it with them, after I read it with them, over the summer when I take the book home, etc., etc., etc.... My point is that the more experience you have with a novel as a teacher, the more the kids will get out of it. It helps if you love the book as well. <br />
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While reading ahead I make marks right in my book if there's any kind of literary device or examples of something that I want to teach in Writer's Workshop, etc. I just make a simple 'S' in the margin if it's a simile, or an 'I' if it's an excellent example of imagery. 'I' also represents idioms, but the good news is they are easy to tell apart from each other. For the first couple months of school, I stop during shared reading when I come across an example of a literary device. It sounds something like this:<br />
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<i>"Wow! What an awesome example of excellent writing. I love how the author compared Josie to a statue. And notice how she wrote "Josie was a statue standing above me..." Did she even have to use 'like' or 'as'? I wonder what that kind of writing is called when an author compares two unlike things without using 'like' or 'as' -- HANDS UP ALL OVER. </i><br />
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Then, I pick someone with their hand up and they tell me it's a metaphor (hopefully, they do. They are still kids, and sometimes they get these things confused, so we use all of it as a teaching moment). Once we've all figured it out, that student gets a sticky note, writes the title of the book, the quote from the book, and their name. Then they hang it on the appropriate section of the wall. <br />
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Now that we are in June (and this probably started in November), I don't even need to stop. Hands just shoot up during shared reading. We stopped so much that some days I have kids keep their notebook open and they just write the page number and go back when we are done to tell me, so we can just keep reading. <br />
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And then it gets better. Every.Single.Day. at least twelve students are standing next to me with their own independent reading books open to show me a literary device. Sometimes they have it, and sometimes they are close, but their imagery example is not juicy enough. High level readers, on level readers, low level readers, COMBINED. One parent actually told me during my last conference with her that she was yelling at her daughter one night. She told her she was acting like some animal I can't recall at this moment. Her daughter whipped her head around and screamed back, "THAT'S A SIMILE!" We all shared a laugh, while I silently cheered for that little girl who has come a long way since she started at my school in September.<br />
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The bottom line is that my fourth graders (who will become my fifth graders) are paying close attention to their books. They are in tune with what they are reading. And, a few seconds with one child will sometimes help me help them realize that an example may seem like imagery, but it's really just a detailed description versus a description with sensory words. <br />
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Happy June!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFiXxWC4nc1SX7ImLV3oo99azshOkWm-kuYZFF44tsVF_2JQYTEfJ0N3vtznlhU2lN6VmB34aofUt6vpDsj3jE8PxLfW6d-ie553fEIj9Y_7V4mNxDvJEWMhGLlo1PyRNrsd-YWdxGwLiy/s1600/annie2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="257" data-original-width="424" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFiXxWC4nc1SX7ImLV3oo99azshOkWm-kuYZFF44tsVF_2JQYTEfJ0N3vtznlhU2lN6VmB34aofUt6vpDsj3jE8PxLfW6d-ie553fEIj9Y_7V4mNxDvJEWMhGLlo1PyRNrsd-YWdxGwLiy/s320/annie2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13287491805665468612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6570366104173613807.post-54563947209103656942016-01-17T18:48:00.000-08:002016-01-17T18:48:05.274-08:00New Year's Organization Challenge: week 3The challenge for this week involves space and storage planning. Think about your physical classroom space and what part(s) of the room are and aren't working for you. Think about the subjects you teach, and how you store your materials for easy use. <br />
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The first thing I suggest doing is creating an ideal layout for your entire classroom. IDEAL. Even if you don't have all of the furniture or storage items that fit in to this idea plan, sketching out a plan will help you itemize the things you still need to make your classroom the ideal space for you. This plan may change over time, but keeping this plan in the back of your head will keep you grounded when you are out shopping and find something that is a great deal, but not a part of your plan. <br />
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Next, make a plan of how you will store specific items like student books and materials, teacher supplies, community supplies, novels, <a href="http://tipsandtricksteacher.blogspot.com/2015_08_01_archive.html" target="_blank">computers</a>, centers, etc. You'll need to 1.) figure out where you want to keep these items, and 2.) how you will store them to make everything work for YOU and your students. While I keep my students in mind when I create and plan anything, ultimately it has to be something that works for ME because my students follow my lead when it comes to handling and maintaining materials. <br />
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Here are some ways I keep things organized in <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1571196426438641.1073741828.1437818666443085&type=1&l=58faf6eb22" target="_blank">my classroom</a>. <br />
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I don't keep a teacher's desk. I use a student table and keep my everyday items on a clipboard and inside chair pockets at my table (since those chair pockets aren't assigned to any one specific student). My 1920s elementary classroom has an old coat closet. I use two large metal storage cabinets -- back to back -- to divide this closet in to two sections. One side of the closet is for students to store their book bags and coats. Since hooks are limited, they are numbered and students are assigned a number. It did mean that I have to call certain numbers to the coat closet first, since some hooks are underneath others, but the kids are pretty good at getting it right. And when they pack up? I just call the numbers in the reverse I did in the morning. </div>
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The cabinet that is on the other side of the cabinet shown below is filled with community supplies. At the start of the year, we ask students to bring in tissues and lined paper. I buy baby wipes in bulk and store them in that cabinet as well. One shelf is solely designated for guided reading books that go with the Journeys series I have in my classroom. Of course there is a sign on the cabinet that just says "Please ask your teacher before getting supplies from this cabinet." It has not been an issue. </div>
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This cabinet faces my "teacher side" of the closet. Students do not go inside this side of the closet unless I ask them to get something. Extra bins and other supplies are stored in clear bins so they are easy to find. Items that I need regularly -- like staples and dry erase markers -- are kept in an over-the-door shoe holder on the swing door to the closet. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXdaBMQRUc2KioQf7VsX4L2P0CWugnxFI76CbybYxh-qn0Z9fMkS03aAD5MlvWeEe_6DJOuqlS8vGHuSZdICB4IW_JRisIHidbOUMipWENCVRmhJoxSnn6L2-i4psdOlhF-OZWD99I9p7I/s1600/12584195_10154098577651487_1253598580_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXdaBMQRUc2KioQf7VsX4L2P0CWugnxFI76CbybYxh-qn0Z9fMkS03aAD5MlvWeEe_6DJOuqlS8vGHuSZdICB4IW_JRisIHidbOUMipWENCVRmhJoxSnn6L2-i4psdOlhF-OZWD99I9p7I/s400/12584195_10154098577651487_1253598580_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbps-ff-H5Sv6kWii3llmNKIEPYU_70EBQ0Gc2NKl5JwFjcYNI14eJJ1oKCDYyvShFj1DdX5AnExljrbY9x04DRFXlfSroqNC138CxokH_p5O97wLOWtbQFBMFCmZfLR5GHeWMpnsF92dA/s1600/12571011_10154098577666487_1269885852_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbps-ff-H5Sv6kWii3llmNKIEPYU_70EBQ0Gc2NKl5JwFjcYNI14eJJ1oKCDYyvShFj1DdX5AnExljrbY9x04DRFXlfSroqNC138CxokH_p5O97wLOWtbQFBMFCmZfLR5GHeWMpnsF92dA/s400/12571011_10154098577666487_1269885852_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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At the entrance of my "teacher side" of the closet, there is a wide section with one built-in closet with no doors. This is where I keep any teacher guides that I use all the time, or books that I cannot get rid of because they go with the curriculum materials that belong to my grade level(s). </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOlXC74z0weBn4anjbMuIqx5v-MOO5g2sY8Qtxbi1BUP75cDr-X1TGOp-yPeKTwb0AUH2OpBUPH1C5GUt9vZniFNDv-aAlD7RlT73UA6xsA4bNSlNLtgXJ_Nec9WizJ1kWjhzjYukIaDJ2/s1600/12571408_10154098577676487_794133610_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOlXC74z0weBn4anjbMuIqx5v-MOO5g2sY8Qtxbi1BUP75cDr-X1TGOp-yPeKTwb0AUH2OpBUPH1C5GUt9vZniFNDv-aAlD7RlT73UA6xsA4bNSlNLtgXJ_Nec9WizJ1kWjhzjYukIaDJ2/s320/12571408_10154098577676487_794133610_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I am lucky to work in a building in which I can choose the materials we use for reading instruction, so I do keep my student Journeys books on a cart by the door. Those books are only used periodically. The majority of my reading instruction comes from novels/trade books. Over the years I have really built up a large selection of class sets of these books. Due to large class size caps in my district, I have 34 copies of each book in each of these bins. If I had to pick one organizational method that makes the most sense for my room, it is the purchase of these bins. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKZhPdaiOCuA8CTvpQBCcjeNI2gEh3qvsUCcD_gjBwJGETglf8lyoUMfaCzHMKthcg1B-L9MacEsldKkxE74n32__7Gj6e7mP-VeMB1aO3UusFaSr_Mf8St0rekdvLsOwHB9r3EgKVL3hY/s1600/12596140_10154098577691487_1746907631_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKZhPdaiOCuA8CTvpQBCcjeNI2gEh3qvsUCcD_gjBwJGETglf8lyoUMfaCzHMKthcg1B-L9MacEsldKkxE74n32__7Gj6e7mP-VeMB1aO3UusFaSr_Mf8St0rekdvLsOwHB9r3EgKVL3hY/s400/12596140_10154098577691487_1746907631_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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*Bins with green labels are 4th grade titles and blue labels are 5th grade titles.</div>
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*The pink and purple bins are materials for a classroom volunteer who pulls an accelerated group for me each week. </div>
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*The bins on the bottom belong to the Journeys series (so they belong to my school). </div>
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*And I <3 greek mythology, so I hold on to those materials in their own special bins.</div>
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Anyway, the point of these pictures is to prove that I've made a plan to make my classroom work. People always ask me how I keep things so neat and organized, and the truth is that it works for me because I've made a master plan. This doesn't mean that messes don't happen. I do have to spend time each week putting things away. BUT, because I have a place for everything, I know exactly where it all goes. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMWabBuoGkbHoyDY5J_EcZOVfDa6WjxuW5ZQbCbGs6KPKgi_LLKUP80g7j5Cc_icf-0FBr8Z-CpdCU2GskCQLcUVUrmSxoSK0xxjezifM_aErqK8967fh-3jAo7ug3z5IXxpnbLgfyJdL5/s1600/annie2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMWabBuoGkbHoyDY5J_EcZOVfDa6WjxuW5ZQbCbGs6KPKgi_LLKUP80g7j5Cc_icf-0FBr8Z-CpdCU2GskCQLcUVUrmSxoSK0xxjezifM_aErqK8967fh-3jAo7ug3z5IXxpnbLgfyJdL5/s320/annie2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13287491805665468612noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6570366104173613807.post-64715445648718593052016-01-10T17:52:00.001-08:002016-01-10T17:52:28.380-08:00New Year's Organization Challenge: Week 2How did we do with last week's challenge? I found the top of my teacher table by Friday, and when I had students help me clean the room before dismissal, I even let someone wipe it down (the normal rule is they don't wipe my table top). I also sent home every graded paper and all turned in homework assignments with the students on Fridays. I do this on a regular basis, and attach it all on a weekly report that their parents sign. They bring the weekly report back, and keep the piles of papers at home! I also cleaned off a shelf in one of the cabinets in my closet. I was able to organize the materials for my monthly school store. It felt good!<br />
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<b>Here are the challenges for this upcoming week. </b> Choose 3 or more of these challenges to meet by Friday:<br />
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1. Empty your teacher desk drawers. Throw away anything you know you won't use or need. Reorganize the materials you will use, but don't forget to wipe out the drawers before you put anything inside. This will make you feel amazing every time you go to open a drawer! <br />
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2. Open a cabinet with shelves or drawers. Choose one shelf or drawer and throw away or give away anything that you haven't used in three years. Anything in this drawer/on this shelf that you are keeping can stay just for the time being. <br />
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3. Find TEN items to throw away or recycle. The only restriction on this TEN is that it has to be items that belong to you (not student work). If it's still usable, consider donating it to another teacher. <br />
4. Go through your bulletin board and classroom decor pile(s). You know there is stuff in there that you haven't used in years, and stuff you know you won't use again. If it's in great shape, see if you can give it to a student teacher. Only keep what you know you will use. <br />
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5. If you have old curriculum materials that are not a part of the new curriculum stuff you use, figure out what to do with it. Ask your admin what you should do with the textbooks that are not in use. Ask if there is a closet in which they should be stored. Every school district has different rules about how to handle old books, so make sure someone gives you the correct response. <br />
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BONUS: Take all of your cleaning supplies and personal supplies (ex: bottles of lotion, wipes, board cleaners, etc) and figure out where you can store them so they are easy for you to get to, but out of the way. Picture this area like a little kitchen cabinet in your classroom. I have a lot of random things that fit in to this section of my teacher closet, but they are so helpful to have on hand. <br />
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Again, let me know how it goes!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhctqbV7wPVK2KFMSsy8lOKKXzY3P_IB2L5zsQaRsgbeS_tDaO4pNOviRGoDy1nqJvkpPY6nGxgtRMuct-8Ic06BkccaK6LZRuA4l0ABlSN129D9ORPFLrdX_u6cymp0MtNJgZgablA367A/s1600/11986936_10153870510906487_5781404862742291304_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhctqbV7wPVK2KFMSsy8lOKKXzY3P_IB2L5zsQaRsgbeS_tDaO4pNOviRGoDy1nqJvkpPY6nGxgtRMuct-8Ic06BkccaK6LZRuA4l0ABlSN129D9ORPFLrdX_u6cymp0MtNJgZgablA367A/s400/11986936_10153870510906487_5781404862742291304_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
I got new tables this year, and I sit with the students in the middle of the room. Of course, I also have a small pile of things that I always need on hand (a clip board for grades and important papers, my roll book, and the novels we are reading). Since taking this picture I got new chair pockets, so I keep a majority of the things I use every day in my own chair pockets. It's very handy. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMWabBuoGkbHoyDY5J_EcZOVfDa6WjxuW5ZQbCbGs6KPKgi_LLKUP80g7j5Cc_icf-0FBr8Z-CpdCU2GskCQLcUVUrmSxoSK0xxjezifM_aErqK8967fh-3jAo7ug3z5IXxpnbLgfyJdL5/s1600/annie2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMWabBuoGkbHoyDY5J_EcZOVfDa6WjxuW5ZQbCbGs6KPKgi_LLKUP80g7j5Cc_icf-0FBr8Z-CpdCU2GskCQLcUVUrmSxoSK0xxjezifM_aErqK8967fh-3jAo7ug3z5IXxpnbLgfyJdL5/s320/annie2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13287491805665468612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6570366104173613807.post-79573873797935207952016-01-03T18:50:00.003-08:002016-01-03T18:50:23.962-08:00Who wants to get organized for the new year?I am challenging my fellow teachers to get organized in their classrooms as a resolution. Each week, I am going to challenge you to choose THREE things from my list of five organizational tasks. The goal is that by spring break you will go in to the end of year pack-up with an organizational plan. These next few weeks of January will be focused on eliminating unnecessary clutter. <br />
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<b>Here are five tasks for this week (choose THREE or more):</b><br />
1. Open up a cabinet with shelves or drawers. Choose one shelf or one drawer and throw away or give away anything that you haven't used in three years. Anything in this drawer/on this shelf that you are keeping, can just stay for the time-being. <br />
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2. If you have a teacher's desk or table, find the top of it by the end of the week. Get it to a point that you can wipe it down with some Lysol. You know you need it.<br />
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3. Find FIVE teacher books to give away or donate. Not the kind that belong to your school. I'm talking about those books we all buy when we hit up Barnes and Noble, or when we used to teach that one novel but don't anymore. Give them to a younger coworker, or throw them in your trunk to donate to a local thrift shop. <br />
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4. Find something that needs fixing. It could be a computer that's having issues. It could be a wobbly student desk, or a poster that has faded from the sun. Fix it. <br />
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5. Make sure all of your teacher guides and teacher materials are sorted by subject and/or grade level. For example, one shelf may be Literacy while another may be Social Studies. If you only teach one subject but your grade levels vary, perhaps one shelf could be designated to each grade level you teach. It doesn't have to be a shelf. It can be bins or drawers. <b>See #3 above while you work on this challenge, because my guess is you'll find plenty of books or materials that you know you bought on a whim but don't plan to actually use. </b><br />
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BONUS: Take every homework paper in your classroom and A.) return them to students to take home, or B.) recycle those puppies!<br />
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Here is a flashback photo of when I was given the task of creating a guided reading book closet:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOjMnXPH7oVqUhJIVIMUoqyvUMmpCJ5VoDrfqTRdw5tURvjU1-1dnXArc9HUtn5Zl4GJWL77sa27Zgh4OaWOY_blASSl636wZNdE0pV6PDi6p9V9gXRbNZxqMbBAWP2WKf0gBPrVG-Ar3u/s1600/45692_10151269603466487_366425115_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOjMnXPH7oVqUhJIVIMUoqyvUMmpCJ5VoDrfqTRdw5tURvjU1-1dnXArc9HUtn5Zl4GJWL77sa27Zgh4OaWOY_blASSl636wZNdE0pV6PDi6p9V9gXRbNZxqMbBAWP2WKf0gBPrVG-Ar3u/s320/45692_10151269603466487_366425115_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Report back to tell me your accomplishments!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMWabBuoGkbHoyDY5J_EcZOVfDa6WjxuW5ZQbCbGs6KPKgi_LLKUP80g7j5Cc_icf-0FBr8Z-CpdCU2GskCQLcUVUrmSxoSK0xxjezifM_aErqK8967fh-3jAo7ug3z5IXxpnbLgfyJdL5/s1600/annie2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMWabBuoGkbHoyDY5J_EcZOVfDa6WjxuW5ZQbCbGs6KPKgi_LLKUP80g7j5Cc_icf-0FBr8Z-CpdCU2GskCQLcUVUrmSxoSK0xxjezifM_aErqK8967fh-3jAo7ug3z5IXxpnbLgfyJdL5/s320/annie2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13287491805665468612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6570366104173613807.post-69889257959694621802015-08-27T20:53:00.000-07:002015-08-27T20:53:42.865-07:00DIY Chromebook StorageLast year I submitted a Donor's Choose proposal for a set of Chromebooks for my 4th and 5th grade Literacy classroom. With a lot of help from social media shares, I received 14 Chromebooks by spring. It was awesome! I was also lucky enough to find an extra laptop cart hidden in a closet, so I had a place to store my Chromebooks, which made setting them up go pretty quickly. <br />
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But, that cart was really big. I don't know if it was created to store <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBook" target="_blank">17 inch laptops from the early 2000s</a>, but it was really hard to rearrange my furniture around it. So it got me thinking of alternatives for storing my Chromebooks, and of course Pinterest. I stumbled across <a href="http://www.trailsoptional.com/2013/12/chromebook-storage/" target="_blank">this page</a> that showed an Ikea cabinet as storage. Hmm. I happen to live about 5 miles from the first Ikea ever built in the U.S. I'm so close that my husband has been known to get up on weekend mornings and go over and eat their $1.00 breakfasts before hitting up Home Depot. <br />
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I made a plan, and this is what I came up with:<br />
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I bought <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50292317/#/10251451" target="_blank">this Ikea cabinet</a> in white (it is available in bolder colors for those braver than me). <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh07Dx8UvSKP5yICUL5GeHWEidE6MIRUxu7vmTTJOdMcDjBR3tqkeY6hsvvKpjf4eSawm73xLDcFxxymBmGkjaWTdmLrcMB3wHRYf09fKLTpA3TjOvrNmsR5vpDt_8aIevGhDsIlQ7Oc8aM/s1600/cabinet.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh07Dx8UvSKP5yICUL5GeHWEidE6MIRUxu7vmTTJOdMcDjBR3tqkeY6hsvvKpjf4eSawm73xLDcFxxymBmGkjaWTdmLrcMB3wHRYf09fKLTpA3TjOvrNmsR5vpDt_8aIevGhDsIlQ7Oc8aM/s400/cabinet.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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I liked how the original post separated each Chromebook but wanted something that allowed them some "air" so they don't overheat when being charged. I remembered seeing a ton of teachers who use dish drying racks and other paper sorters to store their machines. I would have done the dish drying rack method aside from the idea that I wanted a cabinet that had locking abilities. So off to Amazon I went. I have Amazon issues, but that would take another entire entry.</div>
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I found <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Safco-Products-3253BL-Organizer-Sections/dp/B000GRBMOU/ref=pd_bia_nav_t_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=1SHBARVS1VVQQ455PY19" target="_blank">this literature sorter</a>. And I bought two. I love it so much, I'm trying to figure out a way to organize my home office so I can buy more. And then set up a spare bed in that room so I can lay around and stare at the magnificence of the mesh organizer. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN82e0jQWhZ7feuu2UTucEkBdpfdGGUCZ4Ys7FT7IZ9TTursEiVef2VqCJF5VrlqtjJntZZtP7ThZDUnD0c-hl2B0_RwxPToSrFJt7tIyydYxdWADEMnVPCC1xUjK8nnI1XLyV0NtqX3GS/s1600/Slide2.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN82e0jQWhZ7feuu2UTucEkBdpfdGGUCZ4Ys7FT7IZ9TTursEiVef2VqCJF5VrlqtjJntZZtP7ThZDUnD0c-hl2B0_RwxPToSrFJt7tIyydYxdWADEMnVPCC1xUjK8nnI1XLyV0NtqX3GS/s400/Slide2.PNG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Before I even assembled the cabinet, I was having nightmares about how I would handle all of those cords. I definitely thought about this part for a few days. AND I'M VERY GLAD I ALREADY HAD MY CHROMEBOOKS BEFORE ATTEMPTING THIS PROJECT. Why? Because different models of computers have different locations for their charging ports. And the only lonely Chromebook I already had has a port on the side near the back. But the new books have a charging port on the back of the actual machine. So knowing the location of these was the focus of the entire configuration. If you are going to do something like this, make sure you already know where each machine charges. </div>
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I ended up with some cord clips of the cheaper variety. And zip ties. If you don't have zip ties, you need them. Even if you aren't making your own computer cabinet. I will always find a way to use zip ties. You can zip them through grommets of a pocket chart to hang on a stand. You can connect two desk legs together if making a group. YOU CAN KEEP YOUR CORDS FROM BEING YOUR WORST NIGHTMARE. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMfR0ahsG58QBaRakNVdoTmvqxbTKxjBUeXfHpLv_BXL3RcVMLMzhEM8BfE42QtafSxG8EmKbmtV2h9geIL18B95TVK6lBfHqgNiwsNNr4ov_ZEkRjes0u5RlBfTLbr_GuYoJ3L2boJQoe/s1600/Slide3.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMfR0ahsG58QBaRakNVdoTmvqxbTKxjBUeXfHpLv_BXL3RcVMLMzhEM8BfE42QtafSxG8EmKbmtV2h9geIL18B95TVK6lBfHqgNiwsNNr4ov_ZEkRjes0u5RlBfTLbr_GuYoJ3L2boJQoe/s320/Slide3.PNG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Just buy them in bulk, okay?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMKJCliITNJ4KhlNgCjbPRkmdX1OZGgSK4AyQOeUlD40x5DPAKEY6rdtAeXjEv1q6dxi_lhyphenhyphenrioL7z1tnOuAlvcjBjFn-pb8sAkV9cmAXCRJAn9aZ-BhYlq65AKCxhxv7ePL9LPXrRa1K4/s1600/image_20515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMKJCliITNJ4KhlNgCjbPRkmdX1OZGgSK4AyQOeUlD40x5DPAKEY6rdtAeXjEv1q6dxi_lhyphenhyphenrioL7z1tnOuAlvcjBjFn-pb8sAkV9cmAXCRJAn9aZ-BhYlq65AKCxhxv7ePL9LPXrRa1K4/s200/image_20515.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Of course, I needed power strips. And, I made sure that they had extra long cords on them. This was key when assembly started.:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB1S4xMLMKH0cVQHRSZIWHqJ3vz4MKcRs2IfI5siF18ZWTu2xBqJW9YFPQg4t3y5-hy1Re2Wh_KqvS1KB4yDOYG60KUEg8oV8jR7tXWBZxGt8XDLT6luFnmujL8hTl4kb9HB7o2oLAYiZo/s1600/075cbb2d-67f5-404b-bee7-962e0712de4e_400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB1S4xMLMKH0cVQHRSZIWHqJ3vz4MKcRs2IfI5siF18ZWTu2xBqJW9YFPQg4t3y5-hy1Re2Wh_KqvS1KB4yDOYG60KUEg8oV8jR7tXWBZxGt8XDLT6luFnmujL8hTl4kb9HB7o2oLAYiZo/s200/075cbb2d-67f5-404b-bee7-962e0712de4e_400.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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I assembled the cabinet first. It was actually quite simple. I assembled it on top of a table so I didn't have to spend the entire cord zipping time bent over or on the floor. </div>
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Then, I thought about where I would put the power strips. In the original post, they are inside the cabinet. But, I wanted to be able to switch them off easily, so I actually mounted them to the back of the cabinet (with zip ties, of course). This cabinet is considered a TV stand, so there are two 3 inch holds on the bottom of the unit. I decided that I would feed each charging plug out that bottom hole and up to the power strip. First, I needed to figure out where to put the power strips. I marked spots for the zip ties and brought a drill in to school. </div>
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And then I had my first lesson on drill bits. When the first two wouldn't even start to penetrate the metal cabinet, I almost scrapped my plan. Luckily, our building engineer had come in for something else. He took a look at the bits I used and immediately told me they were for wood. He helped me find a drill bit that worked great in the metal. It was a little smaller than the hole I needed, but it created a "starter" hole that I made bigger with another drill bit. Once the holes were drilled, I started zipping those power strips on. I didn't get a picture of it, but I actually used a sharpie and wrote the number of each Chromebook above the outlet in case I needed to remove just one plug. (I also wrote the number on the actual plug as well during set-up.)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiszYx3c7UgGwps3ksf9XBekVHkqwsMvCna8Ja4oU7HNPPkbckx6N6DRA8z79TTdp_3qGN2kaNP-eziq2C02OGImHD_Co69T4cLUX5gwwos0neq9rdZ9guNQieSVSWHzJE_Q869APs3XrgI/s1600/11911195_10153855523831487_133470454_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiszYx3c7UgGwps3ksf9XBekVHkqwsMvCna8Ja4oU7HNPPkbckx6N6DRA8z79TTdp_3qGN2kaNP-eziq2C02OGImHD_Co69T4cLUX5gwwos0neq9rdZ9guNQieSVSWHzJE_Q869APs3XrgI/s400/11911195_10153855523831487_133470454_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi82RAY8iiU8aD4EIPLdK53yRpXlGHeeIo1BBlFKIlTIxXuDvOzdtLFhB2sELtB2J3EYW69OJ3uRZQutvcOQBugEROzTaNKHLLNZsVGYj2AtLAAs4kCII11VpirrZ7Hn77YbeEYkyK47oZd/s1600/11911512_10153855523791487_2105916193_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi82RAY8iiU8aD4EIPLdK53yRpXlGHeeIo1BBlFKIlTIxXuDvOzdtLFhB2sELtB2J3EYW69OJ3uRZQutvcOQBugEROzTaNKHLLNZsVGYj2AtLAAs4kCII11VpirrZ7Hn77YbeEYkyK47oZd/s400/11911512_10153855523791487_2105916193_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I placed each cord inside, with the thicker part of the cord going through the hole on the bottom and around the back to get plugged in. Once I had the first 8 plugged in, I slid the shelf under them and installed it near the top of the cabinet. I did this to the other side of the cabinet as well. Once that was done, I placed the computers in the mesh organizer, lined up the chargers with each computer and installed a cord clip under the top shelf. Then I zip tied every darn cord that was hanging all over the place to keep it all tidy on that top shelf. I also numbered each slot of the mesh organizer so students know where each computer goes. There are also numbers on the side of each computer AND a number right at the tip of the charger so plugging them in is easy. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio-Ui5P0wZmDNw3Z4mctJM4EfGSQmtDhimq2TVhbQ_ObP0SrTj0JiGSXC2CuUQoI8IQL0i4aysMKoLlmycBSNWPQmduzqcIoDWJz829XzaPjYgZObUuJld5pj1Y8MURSA4opfg0iKHEavK/s1600/11911562_10153855523721487_686857638_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio-Ui5P0wZmDNw3Z4mctJM4EfGSQmtDhimq2TVhbQ_ObP0SrTj0JiGSXC2CuUQoI8IQL0i4aysMKoLlmycBSNWPQmduzqcIoDWJz829XzaPjYgZObUuJld5pj1Y8MURSA4opfg0iKHEavK/s400/11911562_10153855523721487_686857638_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I did remove the computers when I had the cabinet moved to the floor, but here is what it looks like completely assembled. The last computer in the photo is my "old" chromebook, and the empty spot is for my teacher lap top. I will only have the power strips turned on if the cabinet is open because I do not want anything to overheat. To prevent the doors from possibly shutting on their own, I used an extra-large binder clip on the shelf (upper right) to prop that side open. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqdhb23PKjgXlRoFzeJQ2RAZeZ4Dbn2gAja4JNAeOfKUN3RXpDtur0A59PB9Btr6uWxZdQnfYKT946KzxEr6lAP4HCJ-jFUwWK49CMrrMc5caX1yOzfWKDnSR46WJW5NGvvBk6Lxyg0HpQ/s1600/11940180_10153855523751487_576952231_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqdhb23PKjgXlRoFzeJQ2RAZeZ4Dbn2gAja4JNAeOfKUN3RXpDtur0A59PB9Btr6uWxZdQnfYKT946KzxEr6lAP4HCJ-jFUwWK49CMrrMc5caX1yOzfWKDnSR46WJW5NGvvBk6Lxyg0HpQ/s400/11940180_10153855523751487_576952231_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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P.S., That cord sitting under the cabinet has since been zip-tied to the power strip on the back of the unit. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMWabBuoGkbHoyDY5J_EcZOVfDa6WjxuW5ZQbCbGs6KPKgi_LLKUP80g7j5Cc_icf-0FBr8Z-CpdCU2GskCQLcUVUrmSxoSK0xxjezifM_aErqK8967fh-3jAo7ug3z5IXxpnbLgfyJdL5/s1600/annie2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMWabBuoGkbHoyDY5J_EcZOVfDa6WjxuW5ZQbCbGs6KPKgi_LLKUP80g7j5Cc_icf-0FBr8Z-CpdCU2GskCQLcUVUrmSxoSK0xxjezifM_aErqK8967fh-3jAo7ug3z5IXxpnbLgfyJdL5/s320/annie2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13287491805665468612noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6570366104173613807.post-34456150504772459122015-01-18T17:04:00.001-08:002015-01-18T17:06:17.122-08:00Eureka!Warning! There is nothing fancy about this blog post. There are no links listed and nothing here will WOW you. I'm blogging now about my own experience two weeks ago when I taught similes and metaphors. <br />
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In the past, I have taught similes and metaphors as two different ways to compare. Although I introduce them together, I would generally teach similes (an easier skill, IMO) and then I would move to metaphors. Well, two weeks ago, I decided I would teach them as the same skill. I mean, after all, they are used for the same reason, right? </div>
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So I created a T-chart on the board. "Simile" titled the left column, and "metaphor" titled the second column. We first gave each of them the same definition: the comparison of two unlike things. We wrote that definition under each column. We focused on the fact that they both have the same function. Then I asked my students this important question:</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>If they are both the same, why are there two kinds?</i></span></div>
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And that's when I entered the key words "like" or "as" under the simile column. We discussed how similes have those key words inside of a comparison sentence. </div>
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Then we used this example of a simile: <i>My sisters is a sweet as an angel.</i></div>
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It's not earth-shattering. It doesn't dig down in to the depths of great novelists. It just is a plain simile. And with this plain simile, my students were able to identify what/who was being compared, and they identified the key word AS. </div>
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Next, instead of giving an example of a metaphor, we took the simile above and we changed it in to a metaphor. Because we know that a metaphor has the same function, this was a simple task of rewriting the comparison without using like or as. And in a flash, we got this metaphor: <i>My little sister is a perfect angel. </i>Yes, we added some words. We did that to make sure our new metaphor made sure that the reader understood the meaning of the comparison. </div>
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We did a few more of these together. And each time we created a simile, we identified WHY it was a simile, and then we changed that simile in to a metaphor that made the same comparison. </div>
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Each morning of last week, I had my students write a simile comparing two unlike things in their morning warm up. Then, I had them convert them in to a metaphor. Did all students write perfect metaphors? No. But, for a new skill, most of my 4th graders have really grasped the idea. </div>
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And I think it all has to do with my different approach....</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13287491805665468612noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6570366104173613807.post-40650059587063272732014-09-06T20:19:00.001-07:002014-09-06T20:19:24.760-07:00Supporting small businessesThis is not teaching related, but I had to post it now that we are approaching the holiday season(s). I fully intend to support small businesses as much as possible. Many people think that shopping at a small business causes a price increase for what you're buying. This isn't always the case, and you should definitely shop around, but think of the immediate impact you have when you do this. <br />
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If you do not live near small businesses, consider online places like Etsy.com. Many artisans on etsy are able to create amazing items that would make awesome and one-of-a-kind gifts for friends and family. <br />
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Example: I was thinking about the upcoming cold weather (I have random thoughts all the time). I was trying to figure out if I needed to think about buying a new pair of gloves that allow me to wear my wedding band and engagement ring without it getting stuck to the weave. Then I started to think about an alternate ring that I could wear that didn't stick up like my engagement ring. <br />
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I ended up wanting a ring made with my husband's signature. His signature is certainly "special" and I even cringe when he signs his name because I do teach cursive. I went to etsy and searched for "signature rings" which yielded many affordable results. I ended up going with a store called <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/SilverHandwriting?ref=l2-shopheader-name" target="_blank">SilverHandwriting</a> and all I had to do was have my husband write his name, take a photo of it with my phone and upload it to etsy. Then when the shop owner said she could do it, I spent a mere $30ish and a week later I have an awesome ring!<br />
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It went from this:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxcKxJBlV3f1it6WIb1vdLPTLatD4-kPozdwawSpAYGJGxU-0IieSBUWkzERMye-blUGP0HkbDQJXMx5P7wuKuqUzic5xv8Cz82Aql2E0MaHxq3lagXS2hfnlOQ3GAb2WwG-pgc7lY9W0p/s1600/signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxcKxJBlV3f1it6WIb1vdLPTLatD4-kPozdwawSpAYGJGxU-0IieSBUWkzERMye-blUGP0HkbDQJXMx5P7wuKuqUzic5xv8Cz82Aql2E0MaHxq3lagXS2hfnlOQ3GAb2WwG-pgc7lY9W0p/s1600/signature.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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To this:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8c_VqUfQVivvBpq7MLd9vahmHmD_83dZrFhhAPnL-tiqm-GwtAHkvPgih6QYAzyORXCWy4oDxhyphenhyphen_KuXB-EykG6xaqBVs1VftF2kz31xt76uPqASXxXSFR2k2aUULYa_blpSuTChS7wx-F/s1600/ring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8c_VqUfQVivvBpq7MLd9vahmHmD_83dZrFhhAPnL-tiqm-GwtAHkvPgih6QYAzyORXCWy4oDxhyphenhyphen_KuXB-EykG6xaqBVs1VftF2kz31xt76uPqASXxXSFR2k2aUULYa_blpSuTChS7wx-F/s1600/ring.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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Now I want signature jewelry for everything! :)</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13287491805665468612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6570366104173613807.post-64613210161658529662014-09-04T14:25:00.001-07:002014-09-04T14:36:05.283-07:002014: Setting up Word Work and Writing ActivitiesThis year we will use Journeys for our Literacy instruction. Although we will use a basal, I am going to try to create a schedule that runs like a reading workshop. During the time that I work with students, some of my students will work on word work activities and an <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Interactive-Writing-Center-Grades-3-6-853834" target="_blank">interactive writing center</a> (created by <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Joey-Udovich" target="_blank">Jody Udovich</a>, which is Uh-mazing). My word work centers are housed in plastic drawers and the writing center is housed in a file box. (see photo) There are more photos of my new classroom <a href="http://tipsandtricksteacher.blogspot.com/2014_09_01_archive.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>.<br />
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I've posted about my word work centers <a href="http://tipsandtricksteacher.blogspot.com/2012/06/word-study-activities.html" target="_blank">before</a>. Some of them are the same as before, while I've added others. <br />
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This particular word work activity has two drawers (so enough for two kids) and a record sheet. Students will take the entire drawer (either #1 or #2) AND a record sheet to their seat. <br />
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You can download my word work instruction sheets and record sheets <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Word-Work-Center-Instruction-Sheets-1419301" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</div>
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Above: All items for the activity are inside the drawer. Below: Under the materials, I have laminated and hot-glued instruction sheets so students can be as independent as possible at this time. <br />
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If an activity has a record sheet, they are located in the third drawer. If the activity does not have a record sheet, there are just three drawers of the same activity. <br />
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Here is a list of the word work activities my students will have access to: <br />
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<u><b>4th Grade -</b></u><br />
1. Cursive Vocabulary - Students will use skinny dry erase markers on a personal wipe board to practice writing word wall words in their best cursive. <br />
2. Vocabulary Clips - Students will match clothespins (with vocabulary words written on each one) to definitions on sentences with context. I think I will use Social Studies words for this activity. I haven't yet decided and, therefore, my clothespins are currently blank.<br />
3. Stencil Spelling - Students will spell their current spelling words with stencils I picked up at the local teacher store. <br />
4. Bottle Cap Spelling - Long ago, I saved water bottle caps from many cases of water. When I had enough, I wrote a letter on each one. Students will use these caps to spell out their longest spelling word for the week with the bottle caps, then then they will spell smaller words with those same letters and record their work on a record sheet.<br />
5. Letter Cards - Students will use letter cards to spell out their weekly spelling words and take a picture of the finished product. <br />
6. Sight Word Test - Students will test teach other on their quick reading of <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Sight-Word-Cards-Inksaver-Dolch-Fry-786110" target="_blank">Dolch and Fry sight words</a>. If they miss one, they write it down on a record sheet. They are no penalized for missing a word, but this will give me an instant list of words they need more practice with. <br />
7. Letter Card Fun - Students will mix spelling with math using my <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Spelling-Center-Letter-Card-Fun-839489" target="_blank">Letter Card Fun</a> center. Since this activity is geared toward younger students, I only used a portion of it for my older kids. <br />
8. PA Counties - Students will identify the counties of Pennsylvania on a map. This is a tricky thing to do from memory, but I think it will be good practice (and it ties in to their 4th grade Social Studies). <br />
9. PA Cities - same as above but they will identify PA cities.<br />
10. PA Rivers - same as above but they will identify PA rivers.<br />
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<u><b>5th Grade -</b></u><br />
1. Cursive Vocabulary - Students will use skinny dry erase markers on a personal wipe board to practice writing word wall words in their best cursive. <br />
2. Mystery Words - I have letter cards in an envelope. Each envelope houses only the letters needed to spell one longer mystery word. Students manipulate these cards to figure out the mystery word, but to also spell out smaller words.<br />
3. Rainbow Words - This is an oldie, but a goodie. Students will write this week's spelling words using alternating colors of the rainbow.<br />
4. Vocabulary Water Art - Students will write this week's vocabulary words on a coffee filter in any design they like. They will turn it in DRY, but once I give them credit for doing the assignment, they will be allowed to add droplets of water to it to create coffee filter water color art.<br />
5. Magnetic Sentences - I bought <a href="http://www.lakeshorelearning.com/seo/p%7C845524441762528~~.jsp" target="_blank">these magnets from Lakeshore</a>. Students will create sentences and then identify parts of speech. <br />
6. Letter Stampers - Students will use alphabet stampers to spell out their weekly spelling words. <br />
6. Sight Word Test - Students will test teach other on their quick reading of <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Sight-Word-Cards-Inksaver-Dolch-Fry-786110" target="_blank">Dolch and Fry sight words</a>. If they miss one, they write it down on a record sheet. They are no penalized for missing a word, but this will give me an instant list of words they need more practice with. <br />
8. US States - Students will identify the US States on a map.<br />
9. US Capitals - same as above but they will identify US capital cities.<br />
10. US Rivers - same as above but they will identify major US rivers.<br />
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Hope this gives someone some good ideas!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13287491805665468612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6570366104173613807.post-33573202693092760832014-09-04T14:05:00.002-07:002014-09-04T17:26:34.394-07:002014: New Year / New Grade Level(s) - PHOTOSI have decided that I'm not the best blogger around. In fact, I often forget to blog and then wonder if it's been too late since my last entry. Well, I'm about to start a new year in a new classroom with a new grade level (4th/5th Literacy/Social Studies). So, I figured it's okay to make a post even though it's been a LONG time since my last post.<br />
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First, here are some "before" pictures of my classroom. I teach in a 100 year old building, which can be terrible and awesome at the same time. The ceiling heights are great, the woodwork is beautiful, the coat closets are large...There is no elevator, there is no air conditioning, the heater has two settings: off and sizzling.<br />
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BEFORE:</div>
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(If you click on the first photo, you will be brought to a </div>
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screen where you can flip through the photos in a larger view)</div>
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Here are my after pictures. We were allowed to paint our classrooms this year. I have an affinity for turquoise, so I found a sea blue color that isn't too bright, but definitely cheers up the space.<br />
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You can read about my word work activities <a href="http://tipsandtricksteacher.blogspot.com/2014/09/2014-setting-up-word-work-and-writing.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13287491805665468612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6570366104173613807.post-4255516548544984802014-08-31T16:40:00.003-07:002014-08-31T16:40:37.919-07:00Classroom Pictures Pinterest BoardJust a quick note that I've been busy pinning classroom pictures on a Pinterest board. If your classroom isn't pinned, please let me know and I will add it. <div>
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Click <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/anniemkarl/classroom-pictures/" target="_blank">here</a>!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13287491805665468612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6570366104173613807.post-84096917335887200742013-12-10T12:46:00.003-08:002013-12-10T12:46:32.052-08:00Christmas Tree HacksAm I using the term "hacks" correctly? I try not to use new words if I'm not sure, but my post today is a little more than "DIY fun". <br />
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Last year I went to bed early one night. I fell asleep and my husband screamed ad yelled for me, called me on my cell phone when I didn't answer, and sent me multiple text messages of "help!"...so I came running to imagine the worst. There he was, on the floor and I panicked. But, like the pain he can be, the reality was he was watering the Christmas tree and he ran out of water. :/<br />
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Here is how I prevented that from ever happening again. I created a tree watering tube. <br />
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I went to Lowes or Home Depot for 4 feet of tube. They cut it from a giant spool of tube for you right there. I made sure to find a tube that was wide enough to insert a funnel in to one end. Then, I raided the baking drawer in the kitchen for a small funnel. <br />
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Although the end of the funnel fit pretty well in to the tube, I secured it with a little duct tape just to be sure. <br />
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I placed the funnel near where I wanted to water the tree, and inserted the tube between branches, securing the tube to the trunk every few inches with some simple zip ties. Then, I made sure the tube sat below the top edge of the tree base. Now, we just fill a cup of water and pour it right in to the funnel. <br />
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My next "hack" has to do with my obsessive urge to make sure things match. Last week, we set up the tree with our rustic ornaments. Since last Christmas, though, I finished painting and decorating our living area and the colors are on the creamy/aqua scheme of things. So, the rustic looked really out of place. Since we recently set up a family room in the basement, we figured we could set up our fake tree with the rustic ornaments there. <br />
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Then, I went on a mission to find ornaments that would work better with my color scheme and found this picture on Pinterest. (Here is the website from the <a href="http://restorationhouseblog.ca/2010/12/more-christmas.html" target="_blank">pin</a>.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiEYE3KDfxc72zboVrIr6yKOvGpuvT4vwqBTeATlzXlNgr_M1mUBjR9UzfCp0J7tFg1hAWAZfVunT2JYUZeD3Kir-Y8zz94ZkV7AQikyW77DdZ-Is8TbZxhubNB0UmUeJN3Dh5Lj_Gg1G8/s1600/SAM_2707.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiEYE3KDfxc72zboVrIr6yKOvGpuvT4vwqBTeATlzXlNgr_M1mUBjR9UzfCp0J7tFg1hAWAZfVunT2JYUZeD3Kir-Y8zz94ZkV7AQikyW77DdZ-Is8TbZxhubNB0UmUeJN3Dh5Lj_Gg1G8/s320/SAM_2707.JPG" width="180" /></a></div>
I LOVE this look. I had to have this color scheme! Although, I was disappointed when I went to the store to find that most white bauble ornaments were a matte finish and cheap looking. I ended up at Michaels and bought clear glass ornaments to coat with white and gold paint. Here are the results:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOmw4loz5tCLgZtO_0MDCv5FPubT3o1rY0QGwnG7HSlLqyqg_dRup7ZawEafajauzKCoYIE580vNAaF8DuE_ujBhLJdNs-_-868GYynmVp-kbo8gLEDKdldJfSeVBws7pLk9u27RhSeZUw/s1600/blog4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOmw4loz5tCLgZtO_0MDCv5FPubT3o1rY0QGwnG7HSlLqyqg_dRup7ZawEafajauzKCoYIE580vNAaF8DuE_ujBhLJdNs-_-868GYynmVp-kbo8gLEDKdldJfSeVBws7pLk9u27RhSeZUw/s320/blog4.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-K4YvwgD0UW1Nd0U8E8UwFl4V-vRKEnbcF3wcJ-nqGvxKiEGkhfsbXBx9DWHVUZQjHulcX86r2h431yx4wY5njPRAm15UNC7ra3rFirW80SYNsGxJjARMErQs3xwDn8U4bj5ypZOdOjWo/s1600/blog5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-K4YvwgD0UW1Nd0U8E8UwFl4V-vRKEnbcF3wcJ-nqGvxKiEGkhfsbXBx9DWHVUZQjHulcX86r2h431yx4wY5njPRAm15UNC7ra3rFirW80SYNsGxJjARMErQs3xwDn8U4bj5ypZOdOjWo/s320/blog5.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjavg5Q7qlxdFvZhCfGlecNlxvjTAADY2JsJK5Ub9D4oRJ8teUzbtIkQ6Cuh-dlPRwIvCMthi2bixLMX8i3AGvv8W9eia3CaiDVB0yNMalxqPq72w7E2eG64ptMNnAJXb5l240RM7xc6Tz1/s1600/blog6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjavg5Q7qlxdFvZhCfGlecNlxvjTAADY2JsJK5Ub9D4oRJ8teUzbtIkQ6Cuh-dlPRwIvCMthi2bixLMX8i3AGvv8W9eia3CaiDVB0yNMalxqPq72w7E2eG64ptMNnAJXb5l240RM7xc6Tz1/s320/blog6.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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A few tips, if you want to try this. You'll need patience. I sometimes lack this. Fill the ornament with the color paint you'd like and shake it around. Empty the leftover paint back in the bottle and <u>sit the ornament upside down to dry and empty for at least 2 days</u>. I did not do this second part and one week later, I had <strike>some</strike> many sad ornaments that needed another shake and dry. <br />
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I didn't have any plastic cups, so I used a shipping box and a box cutter, cut an X and poked the top of the ornament through to hang upside down. <br />
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Here you can see many of my ornaments had extra paint in them. LOL</div>
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Now that I have my ornaments, I needed a garland. I used red wooden cranberry garland on the rustic tree, which I love because it was simple. I've looked all over for a simplistic garland to add to my new color scheme. Found. Absolutely. Nothing. Why must everything Christmas-y be covered in glitter? </div>
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So I went back to the craft store and bought some cream-colored ribbon to string on a thread. Here's how my garland turned out:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2lDeooJdr8w8kXNyACmBn9XjMJlhHXnmG0hXhxPWxaMwIovh5AsKFTg2vdFCtPC7uPZt04BC_vzgpOSEL5anTOHyDy-OWHvmzHEZJhTAJrIbtg_oV07voSc2lqyWUeoxnJZQMGisAIJ7F/s1600/blog7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2lDeooJdr8w8kXNyACmBn9XjMJlhHXnmG0hXhxPWxaMwIovh5AsKFTg2vdFCtPC7uPZt04BC_vzgpOSEL5anTOHyDy-OWHvmzHEZJhTAJrIbtg_oV07voSc2lqyWUeoxnJZQMGisAIJ7F/s320/blog7.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Happy Holidays!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13287491805665468612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6570366104173613807.post-56091649535372289972013-11-10T17:54:00.001-08:002013-11-10T18:19:55.179-08:00Leaving schoolwork at school...Back in March I <a href="http://tipsandtricksteacher.blogspot.com/2013/03/i-own-my-weekends-now.html" target="_blank">posted a blog about managing my time</a> throughout the week to make sure I didn't bring any work home over the weekend. I'm back to report that IT IS WORKING GREAT! As a matter of fact, I donated my teacher bag and I only bring my lunch box to work each day. <br />
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There is only one exception: Thursday nights. Thursday nights I bring home anything I may need to complete lesson plans for the following week. This is usually minimal because I make sure I have a copy of the novel we are reading at home, and many of my other documents are accessible by email. <br />
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I'm not saying that I don't ever do work...I mean, sometimes I enjoy creating something fun and new for my classroom, but I don't bring work home (aside from one night of lesson planning). <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaLN4Lbuh05k86CitG8kPv51RoSbAsAXqqVjptd_XrVHLvPu27T7E8gmwoEGo3xkFacsylVwcovLJeSwhQMMugAHa-nguWPDBOOfgMGSr3dBi2PbjYYTgTkRyEP8ZmZXLWh_lLSay9p0yj/s1600/officepaperwork600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaLN4Lbuh05k86CitG8kPv51RoSbAsAXqqVjptd_XrVHLvPu27T7E8gmwoEGo3xkFacsylVwcovLJeSwhQMMugAHa-nguWPDBOOfgMGSr3dBi2PbjYYTgTkRyEP8ZmZXLWh_lLSay9p0yj/s320/officepaperwork600.jpg" width="274" /></a></div>
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Here's how I do it:<br />
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1. I stay after school until 4:30-5:00 each night. Everyone once in awhile I leave a little earlier, but there are nights when I stay until 5:30. It all evens out. During this time I grade papers, make copies, make parent phone calls, send emails, etc.<br />
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2. I immediately enter grades into the online grade book. If I have to grade an assignment that takes awhile (like essays), I make immediate note of who did not turn in an assignment, and I add the zero in the grade book so kids and parents can see that something is missing. Then, I am able to grade the papers as the week goes on, and enter the rest of the grades when they are done. Because I teach three sections of Literacy and have to deal with a LOT of essays, I spend good time with my students doing individual conferences. This time is valuable to them, but it also familiarizes me with their essay. So, when it comes time for me to grade the published essay, I've already read their rough draft and reading the published draft goes a lot faster. <br />
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3. I only make copies after school. I do this for good reason: If my teacher friends who share the same machine have time during the school day to make copies, the machine is almost always free after school. <br />
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4. I don't leave a mess. I straighten up the main areas of my classroom. Then, at least once per week I try to straighten up a zone. I have a table near the entrance to my closet that ends up catching the stuff I move around throughout the week. I cleaned this table off on Friday and it felt great. Next week, I hope to remove anything from my closet that I don't need anymore. I'll let you know how that goes. <br />
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A Little Vignette, if you will:<br />
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Three weeks ago, I stared my guided reading lesson plans. 15 different groups at many different levels. I had 15 different books with 15 different plans. I worked my tail off making sure I had a rough outline of each of these lessons. The only thing I had to do was type them up and write up my shared reading plans. But, I left them at school and didn't realize it until I was at my car and locked out of school. I sent a quick email to my principal to let her know I left them there, and my normal Thursday night lesson plan email was postponed until I could get back in and have time to type them all up. Well, I took it all home with me that next day...a Friday...a day when I'm not supposed to bring work home. But, I had to make up for my mistake. From the moment I put that stack of lesson plan papers in my car, the GUILT that I have unfinished work to do hit me like crazy. I can still feel the sweating and shaking like it was yesterday. I knew that if I didn't do those plans until Sunday, that my entire weekend would be spent with that pile of work staring at me because it was unfinished. <br />
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NEVER AGAIN! <br />
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Do you have any tips that help you stay organized and on top of your paperwork? <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMWabBuoGkbHoyDY5J_EcZOVfDa6WjxuW5ZQbCbGs6KPKgi_LLKUP80g7j5Cc_icf-0FBr8Z-CpdCU2GskCQLcUVUrmSxoSK0xxjezifM_aErqK8967fh-3jAo7ug3z5IXxpnbLgfyJdL5/s1600/annie2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMWabBuoGkbHoyDY5J_EcZOVfDa6WjxuW5ZQbCbGs6KPKgi_LLKUP80g7j5Cc_icf-0FBr8Z-CpdCU2GskCQLcUVUrmSxoSK0xxjezifM_aErqK8967fh-3jAo7ug3z5IXxpnbLgfyJdL5/s320/annie2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13287491805665468612noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6570366104173613807.post-18010853128942852592013-11-05T16:49:00.005-08:002013-11-05T16:49:54.317-08:00Spelling CentersI try to make learning interesting for my middles, but sometimes I miss working with younger kiddos with fine motor skills and arts & crafts. Yes, I can do arts & crafts with my kids...I just find it much harder to manage the shorter periods and an arts & crafts project. I'm sure other middle school teachers can relate. <br />
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So, I started making some activities for my friend who teaches in our lower school. And OMG these turned out great! She read the book, <em>Chrysanthemum</em> by Kevin Henkes, where the main character (a mouse named Chrysanthemum) loves her name until others make fun of her, and then had her students share their names using this spelling center. Here are the results after just doing one part of my spelling center:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNNDj7n6LChIkLkidfnFQB65zzhACfcZlRWncB84x_s6xaPL2hEyVy7g7LG5WqhK_j9GykR8oSN5jx5Hsm-KbsI-yVd8gaqvgouFDIn_pBCDj_miHurkZiTd7HVPZz0K0GWAHZJ9hdgA1G/s1600/Slide1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNNDj7n6LChIkLkidfnFQB65zzhACfcZlRWncB84x_s6xaPL2hEyVy7g7LG5WqhK_j9GykR8oSN5jx5Hsm-KbsI-yVd8gaqvgouFDIn_pBCDj_miHurkZiTd7HVPZz0K0GWAHZJ9hdgA1G/s320/Slide1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9s1eL1E3AdxJ-9fa1Vkm8Fclw04WKaZqrguTLYjd3mwGHTQi-igaZkkksQggBgAZR8DpzEwcpFekCeB_IcDA4ZT32ceCTZ-GxlF655UMzk8ltGcZuXTmneNg8N5-WyV1tsQu6tvGaoL-X/s1600/Slide2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9s1eL1E3AdxJ-9fa1Vkm8Fclw04WKaZqrguTLYjd3mwGHTQi-igaZkkksQggBgAZR8DpzEwcpFekCeB_IcDA4ZT32ceCTZ-GxlF655UMzk8ltGcZuXTmneNg8N5-WyV1tsQu6tvGaoL-X/s320/Slide2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioCXFRTyILOfbr6Eo6bXMpyN0YGNetfjORK1D_mxKkfCLoHLna41zVEtboFs0_PUPrb96AYUCwv7UDGiqBzekPB7xO0NZbhX6SHELDM4uIGGfVKHyLpqyqu4eL7wUcL_0Xy1u5t3Tj0zuf/s1600/Slide3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioCXFRTyILOfbr6Eo6bXMpyN0YGNetfjORK1D_mxKkfCLoHLna41zVEtboFs0_PUPrb96AYUCwv7UDGiqBzekPB7xO0NZbhX6SHELDM4uIGGfVKHyLpqyqu4eL7wUcL_0Xy1u5t3Tj0zuf/s320/Slide3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj12S9GiEXUce68lfWFvNG3jjcsV7eUJE_hTYBSqWIPahMl5XUYjjAOGOs3SwxVpa8wP-5VwE8keiAqalCZuBxb9ZRvqlftqP9rseBdEDRU-0GD2tfQSjGp6y7gludoVSas6ro6t4iAyw3Q/s1600/Slide4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj12S9GiEXUce68lfWFvNG3jjcsV7eUJE_hTYBSqWIPahMl5XUYjjAOGOs3SwxVpa8wP-5VwE8keiAqalCZuBxb9ZRvqlftqP9rseBdEDRU-0GD2tfQSjGp6y7gludoVSas6ro6t4iAyw3Q/s320/Slide4.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Students cut out the letters of their name and glued them to the page. Each letter has a value, and students were able to create an addition number sentence based on the letters of their names. She said students really enjoyed this activity, and also loved sharing out their total values. <br />
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This is just an introductory activity to prepare students to work on a similar number sentence activity with their weekly spelling words, or a challenge activity for students to find the highest valued word within a given set of letter tiles. The weekly spelling list activity allows students to evaluate the "values" of their spelling list with a data collection sheet. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioT-WUc3z6XK7vRgOZSnjRnj0njYalP7Og5qL87Y2qPsG2tN1iWx9-DU-FiV9UArTBijq28cNfhif3TnNHDNZxc0sViGdkU01e8PGazbEsbq72YDLFTkMTikiALXl3YInhyo4qUpTyEyAF/s1600/45678.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioT-WUc3z6XK7vRgOZSnjRnj0njYalP7Og5qL87Y2qPsG2tN1iWx9-DU-FiV9UArTBijq28cNfhif3TnNHDNZxc0sViGdkU01e8PGazbEsbq72YDLFTkMTikiALXl3YInhyo4qUpTyEyAF/s320/45678.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Spelling-Center-Letter-Card-Fun-839489" target="_blank">Click here to go to my spelling center activity!</a> ($)</div>
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P.S. Each of the activities in this spelling center activity have an alternate page for teachers who prefer not to use glue. <br />
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I hope to make more activities like this because I had a TON of fun doing it. <br />
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For a bunch of free spelling center ideas, visit <a href="http://tipsandtricksteacher.blogspot.com/2012/06/word-study-activities.html" target="_blank">this blog page</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMWabBuoGkbHoyDY5J_EcZOVfDa6WjxuW5ZQbCbGs6KPKgi_LLKUP80g7j5Cc_icf-0FBr8Z-CpdCU2GskCQLcUVUrmSxoSK0xxjezifM_aErqK8967fh-3jAo7ug3z5IXxpnbLgfyJdL5/s1600/annie2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMWabBuoGkbHoyDY5J_EcZOVfDa6WjxuW5ZQbCbGs6KPKgi_LLKUP80g7j5Cc_icf-0FBr8Z-CpdCU2GskCQLcUVUrmSxoSK0xxjezifM_aErqK8967fh-3jAo7ug3z5IXxpnbLgfyJdL5/s320/annie2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13287491805665468612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6570366104173613807.post-21888161617528113342013-08-26T14:11:00.003-07:002013-08-26T14:11:46.083-07:00The Evolution of a Classroom in PhotosI'm too tired to explain. LOL<br />
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Click on the first picture, and you'll get to see the larger versions. I will teach 6th-8th Literacy this year. <br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13287491805665468612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6570366104173613807.post-38336309926062570492013-08-15T11:09:00.000-07:002013-08-15T11:09:00.627-07:00TpT announced their Back to School SaleJust an FYI, TeachersPayTeachers.com has announced their back to school sale for August 18-19 (this coming Sunday and Monday)! Buyers can save up to 28% by using the code: BTS13<br />
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Don't miss out!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/">www.teacherspayteachers.com</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMWabBuoGkbHoyDY5J_EcZOVfDa6WjxuW5ZQbCbGs6KPKgi_LLKUP80g7j5Cc_icf-0FBr8Z-CpdCU2GskCQLcUVUrmSxoSK0xxjezifM_aErqK8967fh-3jAo7ug3z5IXxpnbLgfyJdL5/s1600/annie2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMWabBuoGkbHoyDY5J_EcZOVfDa6WjxuW5ZQbCbGs6KPKgi_LLKUP80g7j5Cc_icf-0FBr8Z-CpdCU2GskCQLcUVUrmSxoSK0xxjezifM_aErqK8967fh-3jAo7ug3z5IXxpnbLgfyJdL5/s320/annie2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13287491805665468612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6570366104173613807.post-70786635990139559752013-08-14T21:11:00.000-07:002013-08-14T21:11:58.425-07:00Freebie: Birthday BalloonsI definitely enjoy making stuff to sell on TeachersPayTeachers, but I have to say that I cannot afford the ink, and it is rare that I am able to print at school. So, whenever I make something adorable, I try to make an inksaver version. <br />
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Here are some free birthday balloons that you can print out on colored card stock and save ink at the same time:<br />
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/FREE-Inksaver-Birthday-Balloons-814805" target="_blank">Birthday Balloons</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtNUeYqjVRKi-ZbTms7n-sA4sBRqFXw9wMdO6orw0fL-ZqS7wneSFyUL0nemQRbngD5Ae4NOtdHcBeC9nmY1abggbsHr7IUh2Oqz6s1Ge1DFBiaZzM-ZG6CosnOQrp1_hkXezqbOfWaI61/s1600/BirthdayBalloons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtNUeYqjVRKi-ZbTms7n-sA4sBRqFXw9wMdO6orw0fL-ZqS7wneSFyUL0nemQRbngD5Ae4NOtdHcBeC9nmY1abggbsHr7IUh2Oqz6s1Ge1DFBiaZzM-ZG6CosnOQrp1_hkXezqbOfWaI61/s320/BirthdayBalloons.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Enjoy!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMWabBuoGkbHoyDY5J_EcZOVfDa6WjxuW5ZQbCbGs6KPKgi_LLKUP80g7j5Cc_icf-0FBr8Z-CpdCU2GskCQLcUVUrmSxoSK0xxjezifM_aErqK8967fh-3jAo7ug3z5IXxpnbLgfyJdL5/s1600/annie2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMWabBuoGkbHoyDY5J_EcZOVfDa6WjxuW5ZQbCbGs6KPKgi_LLKUP80g7j5Cc_icf-0FBr8Z-CpdCU2GskCQLcUVUrmSxoSK0xxjezifM_aErqK8967fh-3jAo7ug3z5IXxpnbLgfyJdL5/s320/annie2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13287491805665468612noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6570366104173613807.post-90476607813941624942013-08-14T15:10:00.003-07:002013-08-14T15:10:17.209-07:00If you can't be kind,...I heart Pinterest...<br />
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I finally went through my school pins and starts creating things I wanted to make for my classroom. Sometimes I use bits and pieces of items, and sometimes I flat out buy them as-is. <br />
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I wanted to make the <em>If you can't be kind, be quiet </em>sign for my classroom in colors that matched my room. Here it is (and it will be free forever):<br />
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/If-You-Cant-Be-Kind-classroom-sign-827202" target="_blank">TpT Free Listing</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhch2m0uz5hyphenhyphenkuQf6MOv6VHe8bOu_Z9L-ScsGg_k61pB7f2IGfpkvBN-X0V3t7HF7ReXWgyX2JI4QAoulODxj4BqcwUPqf2qwRzVkPN0nOM255MRDNnbTtxzFZ5V_zXlvuGrK8Q6iMERO7S/s1600/IfYouCantBeKind.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhch2m0uz5hyphenhyphenkuQf6MOv6VHe8bOu_Z9L-ScsGg_k61pB7f2IGfpkvBN-X0V3t7HF7ReXWgyX2JI4QAoulODxj4BqcwUPqf2qwRzVkPN0nOM255MRDNnbTtxzFZ5V_zXlvuGrK8Q6iMERO7S/s320/IfYouCantBeKind.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMWabBuoGkbHoyDY5J_EcZOVfDa6WjxuW5ZQbCbGs6KPKgi_LLKUP80g7j5Cc_icf-0FBr8Z-CpdCU2GskCQLcUVUrmSxoSK0xxjezifM_aErqK8967fh-3jAo7ug3z5IXxpnbLgfyJdL5/s1600/annie2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMWabBuoGkbHoyDY5J_EcZOVfDa6WjxuW5ZQbCbGs6KPKgi_LLKUP80g7j5Cc_icf-0FBr8Z-CpdCU2GskCQLcUVUrmSxoSK0xxjezifM_aErqK8967fh-3jAo7ug3z5IXxpnbLgfyJdL5/s320/annie2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13287491805665468612noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6570366104173613807.post-12979351575626193232013-07-31T22:54:00.001-07:002013-07-31T22:54:50.491-07:00Do you know about LiveBinders.com?I didn't know about LiveBinders.com until earlier this summer. There are loads of reasons why someone would want to create a binder, but I have decided that each novel unit project will involve research about big topics found in those books. <br />
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I have only completed one binder. My 7th graders will read <em>Tangerine</em> by Edward Bloor, which has great science topics. My students will research one of these topics and write a research paper. They will also present their information to the class. <br />
<br />
Here is a link to my completed binder. <a href="http://www.livebinders.com/play/play?id=940430">http://www.livebinders.com/play/play?id=940430</a><br />
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There are a TON of educational binders to peruse. Let me know if you find any that are awesome!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMWabBuoGkbHoyDY5J_EcZOVfDa6WjxuW5ZQbCbGs6KPKgi_LLKUP80g7j5Cc_icf-0FBr8Z-CpdCU2GskCQLcUVUrmSxoSK0xxjezifM_aErqK8967fh-3jAo7ug3z5IXxpnbLgfyJdL5/s1600/annie2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMWabBuoGkbHoyDY5J_EcZOVfDa6WjxuW5ZQbCbGs6KPKgi_LLKUP80g7j5Cc_icf-0FBr8Z-CpdCU2GskCQLcUVUrmSxoSK0xxjezifM_aErqK8967fh-3jAo7ug3z5IXxpnbLgfyJdL5/s320/annie2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13287491805665468612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6570366104173613807.post-2952317679742683972013-07-23T12:44:00.000-07:002013-07-23T12:44:02.873-07:00Double FoldersSo, I'm a pinning fanatic, even though I usually end up "window-pinning" instead of actually making the cool things I see. <br />
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And this is why...<br />
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I saw this adorable pin that took me to an amazing blog: <a href="http://msk1ell.blogspot.com/2011/08/4-pocket-folders-revisited.html">http://msk1ell.blogspot.com/2011/08/4-pocket-folders-revisited.html</a><br />
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Here's the picture from the pin:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrR6KYlyC6iDlp2gdb4-sAJ0I0TKpd4EumgSL8eXapfyaFYWCC0jxPRZeU8OqfhejevoPNZuTaFFlhtq2lz2m3VD-zLETtrWt47kn1FUT507Y92JR88Ho33pTNTuaNACiqiA4X5Hy_xk8J/s1600/IMG_1758.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrR6KYlyC6iDlp2gdb4-sAJ0I0TKpd4EumgSL8eXapfyaFYWCC0jxPRZeU8OqfhejevoPNZuTaFFlhtq2lz2m3VD-zLETtrWt47kn1FUT507Y92JR88Ho33pTNTuaNACiqiA4X5Hy_xk8J/s320/IMG_1758.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Such a great idea!<br />
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But, I should have been aware of her MEAD folders because my measly budget didn't quite have MEAD folders in mind. Especially because I teach up to 99 students per year. <br />
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I could have waited for Office Depot or Staples to have their folder sale, but I have a wee bit of OCD when it comes to things matching, so I figured I would get these items sooner than later and be sure to have color-coded bliss. I should have thought this through, though, and I don't want to be THAT LADY that returns 200 folders.<br />
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So I bought the 15 cent Walmart folders. I still think it's a great deal. As soon as I saw them I thought <em>these are perfect because they are already hole-punched!</em> DUH. The holes are the opposite of what I need...but I didn't realize this until I got home. <br />
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Here are the folders. 15 cents is still a great deal, especially because the pronged folders were the same price. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTuczhiX9uVJJW5dDfWRBRMecTT4iaWa2UlZPm3ECtDXtcgizIWWk639sZ7RdcdDloLpyBEiqaY6O_d_OujDv3KT2g9OeHQ6GQmpvN3Y1yXUVlY8E_Cwz9uWTWieTBQtv3WasagDBFdzjt/s1600/12345.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTuczhiX9uVJJW5dDfWRBRMecTT4iaWa2UlZPm3ECtDXtcgizIWWk639sZ7RdcdDloLpyBEiqaY6O_d_OujDv3KT2g9OeHQ6GQmpvN3Y1yXUVlY8E_Cwz9uWTWieTBQtv3WasagDBFdzjt/s320/12345.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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But, if I turn them inside out, the holes are on the outer edge. oops<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEdnY6C_N4C-DESjEy4ndm-4Vgxs3GWZUQBf1gx-w4NtLfHO3xaB7dkP8CCLeAdHwA_n97M23PBx2ugoQnZpl97F86eorlQaPzJF2Phx2nQ2DjROr4pHNz8Oxr6eaQ3wzSg1tEtwSeolOt/s1600/1234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEdnY6C_N4C-DESjEy4ndm-4Vgxs3GWZUQBf1gx-w4NtLfHO3xaB7dkP8CCLeAdHwA_n97M23PBx2ugoQnZpl97F86eorlQaPzJF2Phx2nQ2DjROr4pHNz8Oxr6eaQ3wzSg1tEtwSeolOt/s320/1234.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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I decided to go for it anyway, despite the fact that I know there will be 300 dots all over my floor within the first week of using them. Anyway, I went to Michaels and bought a nice single hole puncher because the folders didn't fit in to my 3-hole punch. I made it through roughly 5 folders with the single punch before my strength wore out. What to do next?<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Husband to the rescue! </span><span style="font-size: small;">( <= I told him I was going to write that.) So far my husband has come in handy at least twice this week. First, we went to dinner for our 6th anniversary and got in the car to leave and the battery was dead. This lady's hubby was able to buy a battery and INSTALL it himself with whatever dollar store tools his dad had in the trunk of his car when he came to our rescue! </span></div>
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Next, he saw me agonizing over this one whole punch as hundreds of folders sit in front of me, and he says, "You know, I have a hole punch at work that does 300 sheets of paper at once." </div>
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1. How did I not know something like this existed in the world?!?! </div>
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2. I immediately googled it to see how much it would cost me. But, you already know my folder budget was tight, so $300 for a hole punch is a bit much. </div>
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Do you know what he did?!?! He borrowed it from work and punched the rest of my folders in less than 30 seconds!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIAidszGnGKdyfRmCx4GHzuI6TrEkthCi0sViuD7F174GgZ3IV6li-D_G9YC2c_05gPS-xScqhzBts5v0GiAbyqdKqzSJJx7y_kmvFrJhEP31HAlHX83sK4dhJhb5Ydy7wnq9e_gbpqyiX/s1600/1234567.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIAidszGnGKdyfRmCx4GHzuI6TrEkthCi0sViuD7F174GgZ3IV6li-D_G9YC2c_05gPS-xScqhzBts5v0GiAbyqdKqzSJJx7y_kmvFrJhEP31HAlHX83sK4dhJhb5Ydy7wnq9e_gbpqyiX/s320/1234567.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Check this puppy out!</div>
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Last night, I put all of my double folders together. Aside from the holes on the wrong side issue, the Name/Subject label that comes on the label is on the last page. oops. <br />
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But, here they are!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZtgn_t-yBIZa9b53kZo7Tz2F0ZP7a36hk5B1OHzmkqQpYf8bEcZdqKva6FMcsiMqM-N1NcOXJ39AXj-HhtANBanCN2O6aYX2bMb9LwXJesfRPzctI0PtiZ-jm9wD_J0Y1WPyQfXWbGq0_/s1600/2345678.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZtgn_t-yBIZa9b53kZo7Tz2F0ZP7a36hk5B1OHzmkqQpYf8bEcZdqKva6FMcsiMqM-N1NcOXJ39AXj-HhtANBanCN2O6aYX2bMb9LwXJesfRPzctI0PtiZ-jm9wD_J0Y1WPyQfXWbGq0_/s320/2345678.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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For 30 cents a piece, I think they look pretty good. Now I have to figure out how I'm going to organize them. I only teach middle school Literacy (Reading & Writing), so I think there will be a "Work In Progress" section and I think there will be a "Reference" section that will house things that will stay there all year (like rubrics). <br />
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Anyone have ideas how I can keep these organized? They will stay in the classroom at all times. I already have writing folders that are kept separately for finished pieces. <br />
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All ideas are welcomed.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMWabBuoGkbHoyDY5J_EcZOVfDa6WjxuW5ZQbCbGs6KPKgi_LLKUP80g7j5Cc_icf-0FBr8Z-CpdCU2GskCQLcUVUrmSxoSK0xxjezifM_aErqK8967fh-3jAo7ug3z5IXxpnbLgfyJdL5/s1600/annie2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMWabBuoGkbHoyDY5J_EcZOVfDa6WjxuW5ZQbCbGs6KPKgi_LLKUP80g7j5Cc_icf-0FBr8Z-CpdCU2GskCQLcUVUrmSxoSK0xxjezifM_aErqK8967fh-3jAo7ug3z5IXxpnbLgfyJdL5/s320/annie2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13287491805665468612noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6570366104173613807.post-84885852429103681262013-06-03T14:58:00.001-07:002013-06-03T14:58:13.736-07:00Make your own foaming hand soapMy husband is a foaming hand soap snob. Once we bought our first bottle, he was hooked and we cannot go back to regular hand soap. A few months ago, I bought a special bottle from a Pampered Chef show that allowed you to turn regular hand soap into foaming soap. I was ecstatic! But, it was $14.50 and we have three sinks. I bought one. When it came in the mail, I read the instructions and successfully managed to make my own foaming hand soap. Then, EUREKA, I realized the secret is in the bottle and nothing more. Any foaming hand soap bottle will allow you to make your own. Here is how I now make my own foaming soap:<br />
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I found foaming hand soap at the dollar tree, and we used it all up:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYUcncVRRVOUx-T5Eo1TT6JseepOvDRpSLWqNKaB7TubkNm5BgcNSonjcHsG-LrMXZVFTiDKfHm3fIQR4r01s_gppXbQrPNl6TXr1Rc5PrGEFu3v-UZipEdVwr4LlbpIORJA9FAejVR1ad/s1600/soap6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYUcncVRRVOUx-T5Eo1TT6JseepOvDRpSLWqNKaB7TubkNm5BgcNSonjcHsG-LrMXZVFTiDKfHm3fIQR4r01s_gppXbQrPNl6TXr1Rc5PrGEFu3v-UZipEdVwr4LlbpIORJA9FAejVR1ad/s320/soap6.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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This poor bottle of regular hand soap has been sitting in our closet in case of a foam emergency:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmS4n1EWFd4kGiyTTE-q7m77eVPlPYkuCTXelZd_68UmglJGo0pc01TZn563dZqWA700mpCANtQDwUkZizF14EF2RVyHTQdfd1h0Z0In87Gv5wi3Ksf3eAAqlRk6_uaZOZ3w4EdiigVXos/s1600/soap7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmS4n1EWFd4kGiyTTE-q7m77eVPlPYkuCTXelZd_68UmglJGo0pc01TZn563dZqWA700mpCANtQDwUkZizF14EF2RVyHTQdfd1h0Z0In87Gv5wi3Ksf3eAAqlRk6_uaZOZ3w4EdiigVXos/s320/soap7.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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I took the regular hand soap and filled the empty foam bottle about 20% full. <br />
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Then I added water to fill the bottle to about 90% capacity. I added the lid and carefully shook the bottle around to mix the soap with the water. <br />
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And, voila! We have foaming hand soap! <br />
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This trick is going to save us major money!<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13287491805665468612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6570366104173613807.post-40043575659203713692013-06-03T14:08:00.002-07:002013-06-03T14:08:34.295-07:00Pinterest isn't good for my wallet...Recently I saw a pin that showed a woman displaying her necklaces by hanging them from tacks attached to a piece of crown moulding. It was fabulous! Not that I wear jewelry, but I admire its sparkle. So, I was on a mission to create some sort of décor that incorporated necklaces and these adorable fat birds I bought last summer. <br />
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I bought two of these shelves from Target:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSxc5zNlw-6NKO5unwIr_EOL3-9omenfqwzRWlkRALqUWKzGRa4DuScXM624I_UtUXjvdAJxu9FRx4n_2QBTX21jVu7Y9MqM7fX4DJtrvUjLg8hCTJYUjoFPDX05ReBZhlOG4SKeSfhfYw/s1600/shelf1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSxc5zNlw-6NKO5unwIr_EOL3-9omenfqwzRWlkRALqUWKzGRa4DuScXM624I_UtUXjvdAJxu9FRx4n_2QBTX21jVu7Y9MqM7fX4DJtrvUjLg8hCTJYUjoFPDX05ReBZhlOG4SKeSfhfYw/s320/shelf1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I bought these small cup hooks from Lowes and used a small nail to create a starter hole before screwing the cup hooks on. <br />
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I bought necklaces. I'm not sure if I'll ever wear them, but I went in to a store called Charming Charlie and came out $40 poorer. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9qx9BlzF3wi1g16DmlgypducPB3TmhFYDay9-ayRXJ9pYrgIVsF0CWAep7OPSvfVvBIMd4SxFbvEKCjXjNPe51i_5VqA7q8d2hqf8TuZ20NBUE9kuUWAWuIYbaWtSr9AbCTZqHMuYnu_J/s1600/shelf2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9qx9BlzF3wi1g16DmlgypducPB3TmhFYDay9-ayRXJ9pYrgIVsF0CWAep7OPSvfVvBIMd4SxFbvEKCjXjNPe51i_5VqA7q8d2hqf8TuZ20NBUE9kuUWAWuIYbaWtSr9AbCTZqHMuYnu_J/s320/shelf2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I bought some picture frames and had some pictures enlarged. I also found a small shadow box for my beloved Sasha's footprint impression (they gave that to use when she was put down). <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQmy1nvWJvNH2oGtkBqUaQYCRAXArs4sDTLTDyQUJ6XnsSeD_K2tCYJPr4cBJr0orCGEYgcl8OWafd_mGNdq1Rj4QOoviZ8WxI4bi2zjgYiGo32Xpd6O6rgzoeBZXlgFpn8cjYm9EuV6pS/s1600/shelf3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQmy1nvWJvNH2oGtkBqUaQYCRAXArs4sDTLTDyQUJ6XnsSeD_K2tCYJPr4cBJr0orCGEYgcl8OWafd_mGNdq1Rj4QOoviZ8WxI4bi2zjgYiGo32Xpd6O6rgzoeBZXlgFpn8cjYm9EuV6pS/s320/shelf3.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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I love those fat birds! :)<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13287491805665468612noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6570366104173613807.post-59344229379904780362013-06-02T18:51:00.001-07:002013-06-02T18:51:10.951-07:0015 more school days...That is all. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMWabBuoGkbHoyDY5J_EcZOVfDa6WjxuW5ZQbCbGs6KPKgi_LLKUP80g7j5Cc_icf-0FBr8Z-CpdCU2GskCQLcUVUrmSxoSK0xxjezifM_aErqK8967fh-3jAo7ug3z5IXxpnbLgfyJdL5/s1600/annie2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMWabBuoGkbHoyDY5J_EcZOVfDa6WjxuW5ZQbCbGs6KPKgi_LLKUP80g7j5Cc_icf-0FBr8Z-CpdCU2GskCQLcUVUrmSxoSK0xxjezifM_aErqK8967fh-3jAo7ug3z5IXxpnbLgfyJdL5/s320/annie2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13287491805665468612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6570366104173613807.post-45157263309119562892013-05-28T17:58:00.003-07:002013-07-27T23:15:28.824-07:00Organizing my Common Core lessonsCommon Core is a work in progress for me. My district is in the process of adopting it, and the state is making their own modifications to the original standards, but PA's Dept. of Ed. still lists the standards as "DRAFT" -- This makes me uneasy, but I am doing my best. <br />
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A few years ago, I created a checklist that helped me make sure I was teaching specific skills and covering everything. I used it like a bar graph...as I checked off the skills I taught, I got a quick visual of what I knew I was covering more than not. I took the 6th grade common core standards (Literacy only) and broke them down in to this document:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyaeq5JWOWlqd2PXfCDJ9afHiOcPC-Wb8rzRn3UK0awt9rc3ss1FVhcMofbrTAq5_5gGtFT7dCo-cgQlui5vR8tA5dhIMregMOHc3I2jg8AwKgDqHD3YvYZkPtEZg5NYBEmYW0hbas1ln3/s1600/Slide1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyaeq5JWOWlqd2PXfCDJ9afHiOcPC-Wb8rzRn3UK0awt9rc3ss1FVhcMofbrTAq5_5gGtFT7dCo-cgQlui5vR8tA5dhIMregMOHc3I2jg8AwKgDqHD3YvYZkPtEZg5NYBEmYW0hbas1ln3/s400/Slide1.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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I'm still fine-tuning my use of a document like this. I sometimes struggle remembering to fill it out, but I can say that it is helpful when planning lesson plans. My goal for next year is to add this checklist as a MUST DO activity before I can leave school. <br />
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How do you organize your lesson topics for common core? Does your district have a curriculum map for you to follow? Ours has one, although I like to make sure I'm backing myself up with other documents since state and district-issued documents tend to be complex. <br />
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EDIT: I was able to clean this document up and make it user-friendly for TpT (<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Grade-6-Common-Core-Literacy-Checklist-710263" target="_blank">linked here, $2</a>). Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13287491805665468612noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6570366104173613807.post-53890752032857771952013-03-26T11:10:00.004-07:002013-03-26T11:10:57.772-07:00Building a Guided Reading ClosetLet me preface this post by saying I'm pretty sure my coworkers think I'm crazy because I document my days in photographs. But, I enjoy looking back at things, so I continue to allow them to think I'm crazy. <br />
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Anyway, I've been working hard (with the help of other teachers) to create a guided reading closet for my school. At first I wasn't sure how to accomplish this until I saw this teacher's website after a google search: <a href="http://www.mshoughtonsclass.com/2009/06/15/" target="_blank">Ms. Houghton's Class</a>. I spent hours on this site OOGLING at the photos of this teacher resource center. If you click on this link before finishing this blog post, please don't forget to come back! lol<br />
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Anyway, we had a storage closet that used to work as a lending closet, but had kind of turned into a catch-all. One full day PD day, we were given some time to work on the closet and here is what that day looked like: <br />
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Then, after many evenings of organizing, it started to come together:<br />
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Books are grouped in quantities of 4 or more and leveled according to guided reading level. They are also labeled fiction or nonfiction, and placed in labeled bins. Each bag has a card that works as a checkout card. If a teacher wants to borrow books, they take the card out of the bag and place the card in a pocket chart under their name. <br />
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We have thousands of readers to go through, but I'm so happy with the result!<br />
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